Everesting for Equity

Black Lives Matter. (And we need your help.)

In recent weeks, people in cities, states, and countries around the world have risen up to draw attention to the issues of unjust policing facing the Black community. Sadly, it took the tragic death of George Floyd (in the midst of an ongoing pandemic) to spark this movement for change, but hopefully his death, along with those of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and the many that came before, can serve as the catalyst for the true societal change needed to prevent this outcome for minority individuals in the future. 

Unjust policing practices are damaging enough to the communities they devastate, however, they are typically the end result of the programs, initiatives, and deep-rooted societal inequalities that enable, and sadly, normalize their occurrence. To that end, hopefully the funds raised through this initiative can help address not only the symptom of bad policing but also the underlying disease of systemic racism by supporting organizations that promote advocacy and activism. 

The Task

So, I’m going on a bike ride. Cycling, and the bicycle industry, have long been emblematic of the inequities that disadvantage communities of color. It’s a harsh reality, but necessary realization that “outside” is not equally free for everyone, so, for this movement, I’m reclaiming the bike as an agent of change. In support of the movement for true equality for the Black community, I will be setting out in the early morning of June 20, 2020 with the goal of Everesting (riding up and down the same hill until I have accumulated 8848 meters/29029 feet of elevation gain) and raising money for every 100 meters climbed.

At present, my goal is to complete this through many trips up a locally well-known climb on River Road in New Jersey (if you’re around, feel free to drop in for a lap). It might be the longest and hardest bike ride of my life, but it will also, very likely be the most meaningful. And, much like the fight for racial justice and equality, it will be worth it.

The Ask (How you can be a part)

I’m looking for individuals (or organizations) to sponsor “a lap” (or portions) of this climb for change. Donate as much as you want to any of the following charity organizations aimed at tackling issues of injustice and uplifting the black community. Then, show us the receipts.

Send a screenshot of your donation dated between now and June 20 via this Google Form, Twitter, or Instagram, along with a message you’d like us to share on your behalf (optional or anonymous at your preference).

As all donations are welcome, the amount you donate does not have to be shared with us if you don’t want, nor will we share the names of donors unless specified. We’re tracking all of the donations in a Google Sheet that is embedded below and available here: ToBeDetermined.CC #EverestingForEquity.

The Organizations:

• Black Lives Matter

• The National Urban League

• The Obama Foundation

• The Equal Justice Initiative

• IntegrateNYC

• The Movement For Black Lives (M4BL)

Everesting for Equity fundraiser initiative goals:

• Support programs that seek to reduce the socioeconomic gaps that disproportionately harm the Black community.

• Spread information about the social, political, and economic issues plaguing minority communities and highlight possible ways to help.

• Leverage the cycling community’s reach as a means to support change both internally and externally.

• Highlight the bicycle as a vehicle capable of achieving social change.

#everestingforequity #climbingforchange

To Submit a Donation and Claim a Lap

Fill out the Google Form Below. If the embedded Google Form below doesn’t load, please click this link.

Fundraising to Date

If the embedded Google Sheet below doesn’t load, please click this link. Note: this spreadsheet is manually updated, so if you don’t see your submission immediately, give us a day or so to add. Thanks for your patience!